NEW YORK — The Montreal Canadiens handed the New Jersey Devils their first loss of the season when a red-hot Andrei Markov scored late in overtime to secure a 4-3 win Sunday. Montreal squandered a 3-1 third period lead but Markov, who has a team-leading four goals, scored with 38 seconds left in overtime as the host Canadiens (3-1-0) extended their winning streak to three games. “I don't know what to say,” Markov told reporters. “We knew it was going to be a challenge for us because we were playing against a good team, so we played hard and I'm happy we won the game.” For New Jersey (3-0-1), who made an inspired late run and got 28 saves from goalie Martin Brodeur, the loss was the first blemish to their record after opening the lockout-reduced season with three consecutive wins. Ryan White and Brendan Gallagher had put Montreal 2-0 up in the first before Brandon Prust made it 3-1 early in the third. New Jersey rallied behind third-period goals from David Clarkson and Dainius Zubrus before but their hopes of forcing a shootout were dashed in the closing seconds. The winning goal came after New Jersey's Andy Greene was called for holding to set-up a Canadiens powerplay. Rene Bourque misfired a shot but Markov reacted quickest and converted the winner. Patrik Elias scored in the second period for New Jersey and added two assists to reach the 900-point mark for his career. Capitals 3, Sabres 2: Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season Sunday, and the Washington Capitals became the last NHL team to get a victory, beating the Buffalo Sabres. After a fruitless first week, Ovechkin found the net with a one-timer from the left circle on a power play with 14:49 remaining in the game. Joel Ward had a goal and an assist, John Erskine also scored, and Michal Neuvirth made 22 saves for the Capitals, who had opened with four consecutive losses for the first time since the 1993-94 season. Ovechkin's goal gave Washington a 3-1 lead. Marcus Foligno put in a rebound with 9:47 remaining to pull the Sabres within one, but Neuvirth and the Capitals survived Buffalo's push for a tying goal. Tyler Ennis scored in the first period, and Miller made 27 saves for the Sabres. Pittsburgh 2, Ottawa 1 (SO): Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and James Neal scored in the shoot-out to give the visiting Penguins the victory. Neal also scored in regulation. Colin Greening scored a second-period goal for the Senators. Tampa Bay 5, Philadelphia 1: Teddy Purcell had a goal and two assists, and Martin St. Louis contributed four assists for the host Lightning. Sean Couturier scored for the Flyers. San Jose 4, Vancouver 1: Joe Pavelski had two goals for the host Sharks (5-0-0). Winnipeg 5, NY Islanders 4 (OT): Evander Kane scored 1:59 into overtime to give the host Jets a come-from-behind victory. Winnipeg was down 4-2 midway through the third period. St. Louis 5, Minnesota 4 (OT): Vladimir Sobotka scored from close range at 2:16 of overtime to give the host Blues a victory. — Agencies
